Exercise Pitch Black

Today Air Commodore Mike Kitcher, Officer Conducting Exercise Pitch Black, has officially wrapped up the exercise for 2018. With representatives from 10 different services across 8 of the 16 nations involved in the exercise, it demonstrates just how diverse Pitch Black has become since it’s humble two nation beginings back in[…]

The southern hemisphere’s premier air training exercise, the Royal Australian Air Force’s Exercise Pitch Black 2018, was officially opened today by Air Commodore Michael Kitcher at RAAF Base Darwin. With him was Air Commodore Noddy Sawade – who was also present at Pitch Black 2016. AC Kitcher welcomes the media[…]

Royal Australian Air Force’s F/A-18A Hornets were recently taking part in Exercise Pitch Black in the Northern Territory, Australia. I had the chance to document a couple of the RAAF’s 77 SQN Hornets as they prepared to rejoin the battle. With multiple missions running day and night over the three[…]

From the time it was announced early on Wednesday morning at the initial briefing, to the moment we walked across the scorching tarmac to board, the anticipation was high. For many, this would be their first time observing an air-2-air refueling operation from on board the tanker aircraft. Before boarding[…]

ASO were privileged to be invited by the RAAF’s Pitch Black media team to have a ring side seat for the first wave of aircraft launches on Friday 5th August, and boy, we weren’t disappointed one little bit. After climbing aboard the bus at 8:30 am, we were transported past aircraft[…]

On Monday ASO and local media were invited to join the 1st interview session, with one of the Royal Australian Air Force’s Pilots , SQNLDR Leon from 77SQN, there to provide information to the media about the start of Exercise Pitch Black 2016. Below is the full transcript of the interview where everyone[…]

The Royal Australian Air Force yesterday launched Exercise Pitch Black 2016 at RAAF Base Darwin. Exercise Pitch Black 2016 is the Air Force’s largest training activity this year and will be conducted in the Northern Territory from Friday 29 July to Friday 19 August. The exercise includes up to 115[…]

Exercise Pitch Black is taking shape right now in the Top End and while the latest arrivals are already flying to get familiarisation of the Local Area Sid Mitchell has got straight into the action and it’s only going to get better. What: Night familiarisation flying in preparation of Exercise[…]

The biggest Exercise in Australia is starting to take shape up in the Top End with some of the participants starting to arrival. ASO is happy to announce our newest member to the team Sid Mitchell who is based in Darwin , Sid is already capturing the action of the[…]